The Commander-in-Chief of the army was the emperor. But from 1890, it was interpreted that the army and the navy had independent control. In 1899, the, prime Minister issued an order specifying that only serving Generals and Admirals could become ministers. This increased the power of the army. The army propagated the fear that Japan is always under threat from the Western powers and it increased its strength. The same technique was used to increase its territory. They also used it to suppress the protest of the people against higher taxes and for the expansion of the army.
